Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Detectives are investigating a robbery and subsequent shooting off the 11000 block of John Price Road , which left the robbery suspect dead. The deceased has been identified as Renaldo Raphael Astin Smith, 17.
Shortly before 9:45 p.m., on Sunday, September 06, 2009, Steele Creek Division officers responded to a robbery call placed by a cab driver. The cab driver stated that he was dispatched to the Colonial Village at Stone Point apartment complex to pick up a fare.
Once inside the complex, the cab driver was flagged down by a subject who then entered the right front passenger seat. The cab driver stated that as he exited the complex, the subject that he picked up produced a gun and demanded money. The cab driver then produced his own handgun and shot the subject, killing him.
The cab driver stopped his vehicle on John Price Road , just before South Tryon Street and called 911 to report the incident. The subject whom the cab driver shot was pronounced deceased on scene. The cab driver was uninjured; he remained with his cab until a patrol officer arrived and he is cooperating fully with detectives.
Detectives with the Homicide Unit are on scene conducting the investigation. Crime Scene Search is on scene as well, photographing the scene and collecting physical evidence. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the Mecklenburg Count District Attorney’s Office to determine whether or not the cab driver will be charged.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. Detective K. Martin is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
